January 12, 2017

During the 2017 National Women's Soccer League College Draft held at the NSCAA Convention in Los Angeles, CA the Portland Thorns selected Rachel Hill as the 4th pick of the 2nd Round (14th overall) on Thursday afternoon.

Hill is the first Seacoast United alumnus to be drafted by a professional women's soccer franchise. Rachel played in SUSC's youth system from u13-u18, leading her team to two Super Y-league National Championships at the u14 & u16 age groups (2009 & 2011). Hill also competed on the Seacoast United Phantoms of the WPSL for two seasons.

UPDATE (Jan 18, 2017): The Orlando Pride has acquired 14th overall pick Rachel Hill from the Portland Thorns in exchange for a 1st and 4th round pick in the 2018 NWSL College draft.

The Rollinsford, New Hampshire native finished her career with 61 goals and 18 assists in 89 games, and has received numerous accolades in a standout career at the university of Connecticut, including: 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist; 2016 NSCAA All-America Second Team; 2015 NSCAA All-America First Team; 4-time All-Conference First Team Selection; 2-time American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year; 2-time American Championship All-Tournament Team (2014 & 2015); 2014 Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the American Championship, NSCAA/Continental Tire All Northeast Region first Team; 2013 NEWISA First Team All-New England, and AAC All-Rookie Team. Recognized for her performance in the classroom, she was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team for the 2013/14 academic year.

Rachel was called to the United States U20 Women’s National team in 2014, helping USA to win the 2014 CONCACAF Championship in the Cayman Islands, and competing in the 2014 U20 Women’s World Cup in Canada. Last year, she traveled to England with the U23 WNT to compete in the U-23 Women’s Nordic Tournament.

This coming spring, Rachel be playing alongside high profile internationals in USWNT Tobin Heath, Meghan Klingenberg, and Canada's Christine Sinclair in her first season as a professional. Preseason begins in March, but Hill will complete her senior year at UConn and join the team after graduating in May. More on the Thorns roster here.

Everyone within the Seacoast United family is extremely proud of Rachel's accomplishments and wish her the best of luck as she takes the next step at the professional level.